GAINESVILLE — Florida’s stunning home loss to USF Saturday night put the Gators on their heels heading into SEC play and coach Billy Napier back on the hot seat. UF lacked discipline and killer instinct, while sophomore star quarterback DJ Lagway was ordinary.
Here’s five things learned during the 18-16 flop at the Swamp.
Lagway was the second best quarterback on the field
Expected to be a sophomore sensation and Heisman contender, Lagway has been pedestrian, if not disappointing.
The big-play ability he displayed as a freshman has been missing. Down-field throws have been few and far between. The simple throws he’s worked to improve have been hit or miss.
After battling core muscle, shoulder and calf injuries in succession since the end of 2024, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound Lagway looks like a player who hasn’t practiced enough the past nine months and isn’t at his physical peak.
“I feel great where my body’s at right now,” the 20-year-old insisted. “I’m still working on some things mechanically.”
Saturday night, USF’s hulking Byrum Brown (6-3, 232) was the dual-threat QB Lagway was expected to be, but rarely has been for the Gators. Brown threw for 263 yards, including completions of 29 and 12 on the game-winning drive, and rushed for 66 — the Bulls’ final 12 to set up the deciding field goal.
Lagway missed his final two passes as UF bled a mere 27 seconds off the clock with a chance to put away the game.
“I feel I threw a pass when I shouldn’t have,” he said. “I’ve got to be a better situational expert. I’ve got to keep the ball rolling, keep the clock moving.”
Lagway needs to do even more Saturday night at No. 3 LSU.
After last year’s upset of the Tigers, Napier called his freshman phenom, “Superman.” Lagway needs to be special again to save the Gators’ season.
Trammel Jones Jr. should get a look
The true freshman quarterback showed immense promise during the season opener. He could give the Gators’ attack an occasional lift in a limited role.
Lagway did in 2024, when he came in every third offensive series to spell Graham Mertz. Lagway, though, was being groomed as the quarterback of the future.
Expected to serve as an apprentice, Jones rose from fourth to second on the depth chart during fall camp. Against Long Island University, the 18-year-old then displayed sharp decision-making, a quick release and considerable arm strength.
Napier said last week Jones would continue to grow in practice, and potentially in mop-up duty. But a change of pace could lift Florida’s stagnant attack.
Lagway has averaged just 6.71 per attempt, while throwing 4 touchdowns and interceptions. Respectable numbers, but not the eye-popping ones expected against LIU and USF.
If the offense struggles at LSU and beyond, a series here and there for Jones couldn’t hurt.
Lack of discipline alarming
Florida defensive tackle Brendan Bett lost his cool, spit on Bulls’ lineman Cole Skinner and picked up a 15-yard penalty to propel USF’s game-winning drive.
Bett’s lack of judgment highlighted a dearth of discipline across the board. A week after Florida was the only FBS team without a penalty, the Gators drew 11 flags for 103 yards.
Napier knew the trend wouldn’t continue, saying last week, “I seriously doubt we’ll be able to do it in the future.”
But he didn’t envision his team’s bedrock crumbling. Consider that every position on an offensive line expected to lead way drew a penalty against USF.
Throughout the offseason, Napier and his players discussed improved accountability.
Against USF, penalties twice wiped out a touchdown on a single drive. Prior to Bett’s penalty, and immediate ejection, officials called cornerback Dijon Johnson for pass interference for 13 yards.
“The ones that keep you up at night are the ones that are player decision-making,” he said.
Earlier, an illegal substitution on fourth-and-2 at UF’s 37 kept alive a Bulls’ drive ending with a 38-yard field goal by Nico Gramatica.
Napier pushed back on the notion he’d miscalculated his team’s commitment to each other and took accountability himself.
“It’s my responsibility,” he said. “It is coaching.
UF can’t afford another game without Caleb Banks and Dallas Wilson.
The Gators’ most talented roster under Napier has been underwhelming.
UF also played another game without their top defensive lineman and promising true freshman receiver, each sidelined with foot injuries.
Unlike any players on Florida’s roster, the 6-foot-5 ¾, 330-pound Banks is active and agile, while the 6-foot-3, 216-pound Wilson is built an NFL wideout at age 19.
Banks’ 2.5-sack day spurred UF’s Nov. 23 upset of No. 9 Ole Miss. Wilson’s 10 catches for 195 yards were spring game records.
The goal was to have both ready for LSU, while getting them rest during wins again LIU and USF. The suddenly desperate Gators need them back ASAP.
The interior defensive line has failed to generate push, while big plays in the passing game have been lacking.
Vernell Brown III is already the team’s most dynamic playmaker
The true freshman and former Orlando Jones standout has lived up to his billing as the top-rated recruit in the 2025 class.
Brown’s one-handed catch against LIU and topped SportCenter’s Top 10 plays of the day. Against USF he had five catches for 58 yards, 38 after catch.
But the biggest play was his 40-yard punt return early in the fourth quarter to set up a go-ahead score by Tre Wilson on a 4-yard catch.
Wilson’s re-emergence was another bright spot. His 32-yard catch was Lagway’s longest completion, giving Wilson 60 yards on seven catches. The effort followed a Week 1 when he had minus-4 yards on five catches because of the emphasis on screen passes to the fleet-footed redshirt sophomore.
“Both made a bunch of plays tonight,” Napier said. “We tried like crazy to get them involved. We were able to capitalize on that.”
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com
Up next …
UF (1-1) at LSU (2-0)
When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge
TV: ABC
Favorite: LSU 9.5
Originally Published: